Operational Analysis - Graduate Programme 2027

Operational Analysis is a scientific approach to problem solving!

Through applying analytical methods and tools we can support and improve decision-making within the business.

Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3 days per week on-site hybrid working pattern. There may be times we ask you to work up to 5 days per week on site subject to work classification.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you

• 2 year Programme: Starting September 2027
• Annual Salary Review
• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: Opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity

The MBDA Operational Analysis (OA) Team is made up of approximately twenty people from a variety of educational backgrounds, including Maths, Physics, Engineering, Economics and Military History. Through qualitative and quantitative methods, the team supports a wide range of work across the business.

The team supports a diverse set of activities, working for both internal MBDA customers and external defence related contracts.

The OA Team is involved with;

• Understanding and communicating the nature of the future battlespace and operational context for future weapon systems
• Assessment of weapons system options in war fighting scenarios
• Developing the Concept of Operation for future weapons
• Generating evidence to support high level choices, both for UK future systems and potential export campaigns.
• Support with Identification and definition of potential future weapon system concepts, based on anticipated customer requirements and promising future technologies.
• Developing and using mathematical modelling and simulation tools
• Providing analysis to demonstrate the value of current products to potential customers.
• Concept and technology considerations for future products

Within the OA Team, you will be supporting a number of different activities throughout your programme; undertaking research, running analytical models, and producing reports or presentations.

What we're looking for from you

• An analytical and problem solving mind set.
• An interest in defence and passion for understanding the operational environment in which weapon systems will be used.
• Currently studying towards a relevant analytical or defence related degree such as Maths, Physics, Astronomy, Systems Engineering, Computational Studies, Operational Research, Economics, Statistics, War Studies to a minimum of 2.2

Benefits & Rewards

• Annual Bonus: Every year we reward our dedicated employees with an annual bonus. Exact amounts and percentages will vary by job grade and on business performance. This can be discussed/explained further with a member of the Resourcing team during your application process.
• 25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase): Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.
• Dynamic Working: We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.
• Enhanced Parental Leave: We offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions, including up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.
• Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers: Discounts platform, Costco individual membership, Technology Vouchers up to £2,500 over 12 months, charity donations, MyCar Scheme and holiday purchase.
• Gyms & Social Clubs: Healthworks on-site gym at Stevenage, discounted annual gym membership and The Club social activities.
• Pension & Finance: MBDA Retirement Savings Plan, financial awareness webinars, Share Incentive Plan, mortgage advice, season ticket loan and critical illness support.
• Extracurricular Learning Budget: You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.
• Health and Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, voluntary private medical insurance, funded private medical insurance for eligible employees, dental insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan and Healthcare and Leisure benefit.

Information

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development.

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Apply

1. Submit an application

Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you!

2. Online assessment - Part One

Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report.

3. Online assessment - Part Two

Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.

4. Assessment centre

Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance.

5. Offer

We’ll call you within a week of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.

Before continuing your application, please note that as a defence industry employer, restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work will apply.

If you do not meet the necessary requirements, any application you submit will be rejected.

We only recommend continuing your application if you are confident of your right to work for us.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.